Category Archive

One of the best parts of living where I live, is it is in walking distance to Overton Square. For the past year, when days are not cold and dreary, I have enjoyed venturing over to the square to see its progression into a little land of great mirth. I’ve observed a parking garage ascend, new artwork cover walls, new …

Kristin Young sent us this sweet little story and we desired a sharing.. “I grew up a few blocks west of where Joe’s Wines & their infamous neon sign. Everyone else calls it The Sputnik, but I’ve never called it that nor will I ever. One of the first times my parents drove me past it after I could verbalize …

Here’s a real Throwback Thursday post for ya! Snapped inside the Sears Crosstown building here in Memphis, this sign is a fun reminder of the history of this iconic building. It’s being completely revamped in the next few years which is really exciting. Until we all enjoy the updated digs for art, education, and health programs, here are some quick …

“And we’ve got a sign out here now that was Graceland Liquor Store that was an old-type neon sign across the street from Graceland. And it’s just sitting on the shop out here.” Jeff Balton, of Balton Sign Co., so kindly presented me a tour of their great sign shop which holds a fascinating history, as it is the …

Video via www.agilitynut.com/sca/roto.html There are only few functional Roto-Spheres (or Sputniks) on this planet and Memphis holds one of them. Take a viewing of this dazzling footage by the inventor Warren Milks, compiled by Debra Jane Seltzer of RoadsideArchitecture.com. In this video there are Roto-Spheres as well as their “siblings,” Turn-Stars and Roto-Rings. Debra Jane has compiled extensive info on …

You may have recently seen creepy Peter Pan at the Children’s Museum but did you know he was once employed by Peter Pan’s Pantry as their sign boy? The lad seems pretty happy wherever he goes. I think he likes Memphis. Now who can recall where the location of Peter Pan’s Pantry was?

MTH 101:

Memphis Type History is a project by Caitlin Horton and Rebecca Phillips. We collect your stories and search out the rumor and lore behind Memphis' greatest signs and best historical places. This is Memphis as Memphians know it.